From Europe to Japan to the altar

By Audrey Mangini Special to the Times Union

Published 12:00 am, Sunday, August 29, 2010

Kyle Rudolph and Philip Munderville are an adventurous couple and enjoy traveling. While attending Colgate University, they studied in different cities in the United Kingdom, but managed to travel throughout Europe hand in hand. And since graduation, the two 26-year-olds have continued exploring Europe and also visited Japan.

One of their most memorable trips was to the small town of Kotohira in Japan. The couple stayed at a hotel where authentic meals were prepared for them each day, and they embraced the culture by sleeping on tatami mats. They spent their time hiking the countryside, taking in the magnificent views and even stumbling upon a traditional Japanese wedding ceremony.

Rudolph loves that Munderville is supportive, willing to take risks and open to trying new things. When she decided she wanted to live in New York City, Munderville went along. When she wanted to get a pet cockatiel and name it Charlie Birdface, he went along with it.

They have spent a lot of time discovering new and different things they didn't know existed in the city. Boating in Central Park and trying new restaurants are among their favorite activities.

A new French restaurant the couple dined at on Sept. 5, 2009, sticks in their minds. After a delectable three-course meal, they returned to their apartment, where Munderville asked for Rudolph's hand in marriage. She said yes, and the newly engaged couple savored the moment by taking a moonlit stroll along the river.

Aside from being world travelers and trying new restaurants, they like to return to the Capital Region to visit their families. Rudolph's hometown is Kinderhook, and Munderville's is Guilderland.

Because family and friends are important to them, they have tried to incorporate them in their wedding day as much as possible. Munderville's grandmother is getting ordained and will be the officiant at their ceremony. Rudolph will wear her grandmother's wedding dress, which is more than 60 years old. Rudolph had it slightly altered to modernize it, and a close friend is making the veil. They recruited Rudolph's father to design the save-the-date cards and a close family friend to perform the music on his acoustic guitar.

The wedding is planned for Sept. 11 at Hunter Mountain. The guests will take chairlifts to the summit for the ceremony. That will be another adventure to remember.

Know an engaged couple who might be interested in being featured in a future Nuptials? E-mail kgustafson@timesunion.com with names and contact information.